The new optical sub-components – which conform to IEEE 802.3bs 400GBase-LR8/FR8 proposal and are compatible with CFP8 form factor – comprise a compact, directly-reflecting, multiplexing architecture drawn on Cube Optics’ intellectual property and more than 15 years’ engineering expertise. This well-proven technology has successfully been applied in a majority of 100GBase-LR4/ER4 and 40GBase-LR4/ER4 transceivers, demonstrating its superior, robust and reliable design.

“The extended LAN-WDM is an important development for the progress of 400GBase-LR8/FR8 pluggables and acts as a pre-cursor technology to integrated active-passive sub-components which we already are working on,” said Dr. Thomas Paatzsch, General Manager of HUBER+SUHNER Cube Optics AG.

With its miniature size of only 17.1 x 12.5 x 6.5 mm, the extended LAN-WDM defines the standard for next-generation, client pluggable transceivers in data centers and access network applications. The extended LAN-WDM components and modules are currently available for customer sampling. Volume production will start at the end of 2016.

“The increasing demand for higher bandwidth in metro access networks propels the industry to move toward higher transmission speeds,” said John D’Ambrosia, Chairman of Ethernet Alliance. “Continuing innovation and development of the optical technologies, such as HUBER+SUHNER Cube Optics AG’s extended LAN-WDM, enables the industry to swiftly transition from 100G to the next generation of 400GbE client optics.”